Burges Salmon LLP in Bristol fields ‘a truly expert pensions team, that is an obvious choice for high-value pensions litigation‘, with recent experience handling prominent cases, including high-profile professional negligence claims and high-value equalisation cases. The team has a sizeable roster of trustee and employer clients across the public and private sectors, with expertise in small self-administered scheme (SSAS) and self-invested personal pension (SIPP) disputes, and the related financial services and tax work. Rectification and construction claims are another area of expertise, as are declaratory claims. Justin Briggs jointly heads up the group with Suzanne Padmore, and both are adept across the spectrum of pensions disputes. Clive Pugh is an expert in pensions regulatory and funding matters, while senior associate Amy Khodabandehloo is increasingly known for handling pensions-related professional negligence claims.

‘Probably the premier firm for pensions litigation‘, CMS has a stellar reputation for handling Part 7 professional negligence claims, but it also has strength in matters involving the pensions regulator and ombudsman. The group is led by Mark Grant, who also chairs the pensions ombudsman liaison group, and has a strong track-record in professional negligence claims; also an area of expertise for Neil Smith (‘has deep and wide knowledge of the area and really good strategic vision‘), who is also noted for Part 8 cases and rectification matters. Neal Gibson, who clients rate for combining ‘pensions knowledge with general litigation nous‘, has a practice that involves representing pension scheme clients at the first instance and in the Court of Appeal. Tim Green combines pensions advisory expertise with knowledge of pensions disputes, and has recent experience assisting an employer client with its judicial review case. Senior associate Alexandra Tomlinson is also recommended.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP fields ‘a technically astute, commercial, and very responsive and proactive team‘ that represents trustees, employers, administrators, life offices and banks , working closely with the firm’s non-contentious pensions practice to provide coverage of the waterfront of pensions disputes. The group is well-versed in construction and rectification proceedings, pensions mis-selling claims, judicial reviews of public sector pensions legislation, enforcement proceedings initiated by the regulator and internal investigations relating to governance. The group is also able to handle ancillary matters, such as disputes arising from data privacy issues. Taking the lead from London is Claire Carroll (provides ‘excellent tactical advice‘), who is experienced in professional liability cases, in addition to pensions disputes more broadly. Jennifer Miles, also in London, handles professional negligence claims for claimants and defendants, as well as issues before the pensions ombudsman and regulator. In Birmingham, Emma King focuses on liability risk reduction for legacy defined benefit pensions, as well as consolidating pension arrangements; while principal associate Daniel Murphy is active in rectification claims and professional negligence cases.

Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s ‘first-class, extremely knowledgeable and on the ball‘ team focuses on high-profile regulatory cases, often coordinating proceedings across multiple jurisdictions, utilising the firm’s international office network. The group has substantial experience before the pensions regulator, including in relation to less common cases relating to financial support direction. Taking the lead is ‘top of the tree‘ Angela Dimsdale Gill, who spearheads the team’s representation of ITV in complex pensions regulatory proceedings. ‘Absolutely class act‘ Nicholas Heaton acts for a mixture of trustees, employers, pensions advisors and public bodies in regulatory actions, trustee applications for directions, rectification claims and professional liability matters. The ‘energetic‘ Matthew Bullen is another contentious pensions expert, and provides the advisory pensions group with litigation support. Counsel Nathan Sherlock is also recommended for pensions regulatory disputes.

Linklaters LLP is known for handling high-profile pensions litigation and regulatory disputes, with the team commended by clients for being ‘able to deal with high-quality technical and substantial pensions cases‘. In addition, the group is well-versed in mediation. The team is led by Mark Blyth, who has substantial experience before the pensions regulator and pension protection fund, with a focus on scheme funding and restructuring issues, benefit redesigns, the construction of scheme rules, rectifications, and representing clients bringing professional negligence claims. Blyth is ably supported by managing associate Sarah Opie, who has recent experience in rectification and regulatory enforcement cases; and solicitor-advocate Geoff Egerton, an expert in acting for trustees, employers and professional advisers in professional negligence claims.

Pinsent Masons LLP stands out for its regulatory expertise, ability to handle the spectrum of pension-related civil and criminal offences, and issues relating to data subject access requests and ESG requirements. The group is regularly instructed on high-profile cases, with recent matters including representing beneficiaries in group actions, and trustees in multi-jurisdictional cases involving multiple schemes. ‘First-class’ national pensions litigation team head Isabel Nurse-Marsh is an expert in professional negligence claims, representing clients before the pensions ombudsman and in judicial reviews. Hayley Goldstone, who clients rate as ‘a talented litigator with excellent commercial and strategic judgment‘, acts for trustees, employers, providers and administrators across the pensions disputes space; while Ben Fairhead is known for asset recovery work, actions involving the pensions regulator and professional negligence cases.

At ‘highly collaborative‘ pensions boutique Sacker & Partners LLP, the disputes piece consists of High Court litigation, regulatory investigations, risk management work, data breaches and disputes with members and advisers. The team is regularly instructed in matters involving the pensions ombudsman. Taking the lead is Peter Murphy, an expert in the powers of the pensions regulator, in relation to regulatory investigations and enforcement activity. ‘A clear and stable guiding light‘, James Bingham handles the gamut of pensions disputes for major UK pension funds, including High Court claims, regulatory investigations, member claims and complaints before the pensions ombudsman. Clients rate senior counsel Arshad Khan for being ‘easy to talk with, understanding the intricacies and able to help with detailed opinions that are straightforward, relevant and easy to understand‘.

Stephenson Harwood‘s pensions litigation team brings together contentious trusts, regulatory and pensions advisory lawyers. In 2021, the firm launched its executive pensions plan practice, which is increasingly active in the disputes space. The group has a strong client base comprising employers, trustees and representative beneficiaries, with substantial experience in professional negligence claims, rectification issues and construction applications. It is also known for cross-border pensions disputes, recently handling cases involving the recovery of pensions assets from overseas jurisdictions, and investigations launched by the US regulators. ‘All-round superstar’ Helena Berman heads up the team, and is noted as an ‘industry superstar‘ alongside pensions professional negligence expert Jenny McKeown. ‘Building a great profile‘, Chris Edwards-Earl is noted for rectification and construction cases.

Allen & Overy LLP houses ‘commercial and experienced experts who are a pleasure to work with‘, handling contentious pensions issues for employers ad trustees. The group is led by Neil Bowden, who is experienced in high-profile pension equalisation cases, and includes Jessica Kerslake, Jane Higgins and Jason Shaw, all of whom have significant experience in pensions disputes.

Clients rate Baker McKenzie‘s team for being ‘calm, methodical and professional at all times‘. It is regularly instructed in matters involving the pensions ombudsman and pensions regulator, including investigations and regulatory actions. Jeanette Holland (‘extremely good judgement combining technical excellence and commercial acumen‘) is a seasoned pensions disputes lawyer, with experience in de-risking projects. Aaron Slocombe, who is praised as ‘cool under pressure, extremely thorough and methodical in his approach to litigation‘, heads up the London pensions practice. Chantal Thompson is noted for her experience in assisting trustees with their interactions with the pensions ombudsman, and Jonathan Sharp has a niche in pensions-related tax issues.

Trustee and pension scheme clients feel that Gowling WLG‘s team is ‘good to have on your side‘ in pensions disputes, with experience in cutting edge High Court litigation, as well as a broad practice that encompasses complaints by members under internal dispute procedures and to the pensions ombudsman. The group is led by Ian Gordon, who has recent experience in high-profile cases, acting for Mitchells & Butlers Pension, Britvic Pensions and the trustees of Axminster Carpets Group Retirement Benefits Plan. Principal associate Charlotte Scholes is another key pensions disputes specialist, with expertise in rectification and construction cases, ably supporting Gordon. In January 2022, Aaron Dunning-Foreman joined from Sacker & Partners LLP and brings with him a specialism in forensic reviews of historic scheme documentation.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s lawyers are praised by clients as ‘able to quickly pick up technically complex issues and quickly identify solutions or potential approaches‘, with tent-pole clients including the board of the pension protection fund, which it has recently represented in matters stemming from pension liberation scams. The group has a strong professional negligence practice, and is often instructed by City law firms in a defence role, an area of expertise for practice co-head Paul Lewis. Samantha Brown also takes the lead, and is experienced in representing claimants and defendants in High Court disputes and declaratory proceedings. The firm was re-joined by William Glassey from Mayer Brown International LLP in December 2021, adding an expert in professional liability. Promoted to partner in May 2022, Antonia Pegden is another key practitioner.

In 2022, Osborne Clarke LLP brought over the pensions team from BDB Pitmans, welcoming pensions disputes lawyers including Chris Netiatis, who is based in the firm’s Reading office. The group represents employers, trustees, members and pensions advisers on the gamut of contentious issues, with a particular strength in professional negligence, rectification and construction applications. The group is led from Bristol by Jonathan Hazlett, who is experienced in internal dispute resolution procedures and references to the pensions ombudsman. Charles Crowne has an active professional negligence practice; and specialist pensions litigator, associate director Katherine King is noted for handling rectification claims and professional negligence actions.

Slaughter and May utilises the expertise of its commercial litigation and pensions lawyers in pensions disputes, with a case list that includes judicial reviews, investigations and proceedings initiated by the pensions regulator, as well as professional negligence claims and mediation proceedings, benefits disputes and ombudsman complaints. Core team members include ‘confidence-inspiring‘ commercial litigator Richard Jeens, who represents trustees and employers in a wide variety of disputes and investigations; and Daniel Schaffer, who trustee clients rate for his ‘depth and breadth of experience and clarity in communicating the key issues‘. Senior associate Edward Coles, who has recent experience in investigations before the pensions regulator; while associate Rachel Hunter is increasingly active in the space.

‘Consistently strong with litigation work‘, Squire Patton Boggs‘ team is adept at contentious regulatory and fraud-related pensions work, with additional expertise in professional negligence cases, where it represents trustees and employers in bringing claims. Tax disputes and data protection issues concerning pension schemes are other niches for the group, which also has a growing risk management focus. Leading the department from Manchester is ‘excellent case strategist‘ Victoria Leigh, who is active in pension disputes thought leadership. Also in Manchester, senior associate Rebecca Green is building a practice that involves pension-related professional negligence claims. In Birmingham, Simon Garbett acts for employer and trustee clients across the waterfront of contentious pensions issues. In Leeds, Jason Blakey has experience in representing companies involved in pensions liberation fraud cases.

Addleshaw Goddard‘s pensions disputes group is positioned to handle litigation arising out of SIPPs, SSAS and pensions products, as well as instructions related to pensions liberation and fraud. The group is also well-versed in data breach issues relating to pensions. The team is led from Manchester by Susan Garrett (who has ‘the sort of experience you cannot buy‘), who is an expert in professional negligence claims, in addition to pensions liberation and fraud cases, and warranty and indemnity claims. In Leeds, Rachel Uttley focuses on internal dispute resolution procedures and pension ombudsman claims, while Jade Murray, head of the SIPPs and pension products team, acts for trustees and administrators in a variety of contentious issues. Rachel Rawnsley is also in Leeds and has a strong trustee client base and London’s Catherine McAllister is the name to note for court applications seeking directions and rectification.

Clyde & Co has a stand-out reputation for professional negligence claims arising from the pensions sector, drawing from the firm’s stellar professional indemnity capabilities. The group is also instructed on remedial proceedings for declaratory relief, and claims related to the failed execution and defective drafting of scheme documentation, and cases concerning defective advising on scheme restructurings and mergers. Pensions trustee liability insurance claims are another key area for the firm. Ivan Wilkinson is a main contact, and is noted for his strong track-record in professional liability issues; Laura Cooke focuses on pension trustee liability work, with a practice that involves pension mis-selling claims; while Terry Saeedi, who splits her time between London and Leeds, has experience in professional negligence actions and appeals to the pensions ombudsman. Fergal Cathie coordinates the overall practice.

‘Punching above its weight’, the pensions dispute group at Dentons handles contentious issues for employers and trustees, concerning both defined benefit and defined contribution schemes. Lawyers bring to bear experience as non-contentious pensions practitioners, giving them a well-rounded view of the area. The team is situated in the people, reward and mobility department, under the leadership of Virginia Allen. Eleanor Hart is the UK head of the rewards sub-group, and is the key contact for pensions disputes, often representing trustee clients. The ‘refreshingly upbeat and candid‘ Elmer Doonan is a seasoned contentious pensions specialist, with particular expertise in the intersection between insolvency and pensions law.

Mayer Brown International LLP‘s pensions disputes practice spans member complaints, matters before the pensions ombudsman, High Court litigation and regulatory investigations, and it also handles rectifications and overpayment cases. Another core area for the group is professional negligence claims against pensions professionals, frequently defending pension scheme advisers. Stuart Pickford predominantly acts for trustee clients, in addition to defending pensions-related professional negligence cases. He co-heads the contentious pensions offering with Tim Shepherd, another professional negligence expert. Senior associate Tom Wild brings with him experience on the pensions advisory side to support Pickford and Shepherd.

Taylor Wessing LLP‘s team is most noted for handling pensions fraud cases, with a depth of experience in suspected pension liberation schemes. The group has a strong client list of pensions trustees, and is also adept in contentious pensions-related work flowing from company restructurings. Mark Smith is the overall head of the wider pensions team, as well as pensions litigation; he has a strong track-record in pensions fraud cases.

TLT‘s team is integrated into the broader pensions department, combining contentious and non-contentious pensions specialists. It works closely with scheme employers and trustees in a litigation support role, where court or ombudsman actions are involved. An area of particular activity is professional negligence claims, where it represents employers and their scheme trustees in claims against legal and actuarial advisers. Also of note are declarations and rectifications, where the group has particular expertise. Sasha Butterworth leads the national pensions department from the Bristol office, and is an expert in risk reduction and governance issues. She jointly leads the disputes team with Victoria Mabbett, whose experience spans professional negligence claims, construction and rectification matters. Ed Fiddick is another seasoned litigation lawyer.

Ashurst‘s pensions disputes team has a comprehensive practice that revolves around defined benefit and defined contribution schemes, handling all aspects of contentious pensions issues. The group is most known for disputes involving rail industry schemes, as well as regulatory disputes and contentious funding negotiations. It also has the ability to handle multi-disciplinary disputes, utilising the firm’s global office network. The key name is John Gordon, a seasoned pensions disputes lawyer.

Norton Rose Fulbright fields a multi-disciplinary pensions disputes and investigations group, bringing together pensions lawyers with colleagues from the litigation, financial restructuring, insolvency and consulting departments. The team focuses on representing trustee and employer clients, in cases regarding the running of a scheme, documentation, and internal and ombudsman complaints. Patrick Bourke takes the lead, also coordinating the wider EMEA practice. Lesley Browning has recent experience in negotiations with trade unions and investigations initiated by the pensions regulator, while Katie Stephen is the name to note for financial services contentious regulatory matters, often acting in pensions-related matters.

Shoosmiths LLP continues to build its standalone pensions disputes practice, defending scheme administrators in alleged breaches of duties and acting for trustees and principal employers in relation to potential claims against former advisers. Recommended also is the firm’s non-contentious lawyer Paul Carney, who is steeped in public sector pensions expertise.